INDIA – Hindustan Unilever, one of the leading consumer goods company in India , has appointed Srinandan Sundaram as the new Executive Director, Foods and Refreshment.

Sundaram whose appointment takes effect as from July 1, 2021 Sundaram replaces Sudhir Sitapati who is leaving the organization after 21 years.

Sudhir joined Hindustan Unilever in 1999 as a management trainee, successfully managed roles across Sales and Marketing with the most recent one being Executive Director Foods and Refreshment.

He is credited for the transformation of Tea into a purpose-led category that regained market leadership and gained shares for the last three years.

During his tenure, Sudhir led the merger of Adityaa Milk and more recently, GSK Consumer Healthcare business into HUL, bringing iconic brands like Horlicks and Boost into the Unilever family.

Under his leadership, the Unilever Food Solutions business was also rewired and transformed into a growth engine for the Company.

“I would like to thank Sudhir for his immense contributions to the Company over the last two decades. He played a pivotal role in the merger of GSK CH into HUL. I wish him the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career,” said Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, HUL.

His successor Srinandan has been at the forefront of bringing in leading-edge technology and transforming the Company’s CD organisation into a High Tech – High Touch team.

Sundaram, too, has spent over two decades at HUL and has a strong track record in both customer development and marketing.

He joined HUL as a management trainee in 1999 after completing his MBA from IIM, Kolkata.

The Shikhar app, launched under his leadership, has lent a competitive edge to the business, especially during the pandemic and is the largest eB2B app in India today.

Kedar Lele to become head of Customer Development

Meanwhile, Kedar Lele, currently chairman and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh, will join HUL’s Management Committee as executive director, customer development.

As chairman of Unilever Bangladesh, he is credited with transforming the company’s end-to-end supply chain.

He also oversaw the transition of the GSK business into Unilever Consumer Care Limited in Bangladesh.

“I would especially like to laud Kedar’s efforts towards developing talent and improving diversity in the Bangladesh business,” Mehta said.

 “I am certain that Kedar will take the HUL customer development function to the next level of performance.”

Earlier, Hindustan Unilever Limited donated 34 ventilators worth ₹4 crore (US$546,168) to the Maharashtra government.

This was an addition to the 29 ventilators worth ₹3 crores (US$409,626) that the Indian CPG giant had donated to government hospitals in the state.

The company said it hoped the medical equipment will help in improving the states capacity to treat patients suffering from Covid-19.

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